Donít Look for Him Here!

Aims

Preparation and materials

You may wish to use some images associated with Easter, in which case you will also need the means to display them.

You may wish to have a reader for the Bible passage, Luke 24.1-6a (end with ‘He is not here; he has risen!’).

Assembly

Ask the students to think about their memories of Easter. Why was it special? What did they do? What did they receive or give?

Point out that Easter is often associated with Easter eggs and hot cross buns. However, other images of Easter may include rabbits, chickens and lambs, or flowers such as tulips and daffodils. All of these things can be used to think about the new life that comes as winter ends and spring begins. However, the trouble is that flowers bloom - but then they die. Chickens grow up - but then they get eaten. And rabbits can grow up to be pests who eat a farmer’s crops.

The resurrection of Jesus, which Christians celebrate at Easter, has tested people’s understanding since the day it happened. Jesus’ followers were devastated after his crucifixion; they would have had feelings of defeat, loss and confusion as well as being terrified that the same thing might happen to them. And yet, two days after Jesus’ death, this happened . . .

Read or ask a reader to read the Bible passage, Luke 24.1-6a (end with ‘He is not here; he has risen!’).

Christians believe that Jesus had come back to life. Over the next few weeks, he appeared to several people, once even to a group of 500 people. They all seemed convinced that he was actually alive. Christians believe that after these appearances, Jesus was taken back to heaven.

Since the resurrection of Jesus 2,000 years ago, millions of people have become followers of Jesus. Organizations, called ‘Churches’, have grown and influenced societies, even whole cultures, claiming to represent the message of what this man Jesus was saying. The life, death and resurrection of Jesus has changed the world.

Time for reflection

The idea of Jesus coming back to life may seem strange to us. However, it is certain that many of the early Christians were convinced of the fact. They suffered great hardship and were often killed for their beliefs.

Today, there are still many Christians who believe that Jesus can change people’s lives. They also believe that their lives should follow the example of Jesus in that they should love and care for others.

Prayer(The prayer of St Teresa of Avila)Christ has no body now, but yours.No hands, no feet on earth, but yours.Yours are the eyes through which he looksWith compassion on this world.Amen.